Creating Endangered Habitats -Traditional Orchards

Aim

Increase your carbon offsetting by supporting the creation of two organic traditional orchards with a range of rare local heritage species.

The land on our upland farm has been intensively sheep farmed for years.  The ancient hedge banks have been degraded, the meadows have low flower content and hedgerows have grown into tree-rows.

We bought the farm in 2020 with the aim to create  a range of wildlife habitats as well as increase the yield from the farm along agro-ecological principles.  We are organic and aim to become certified in the near future.  This year we are already restoring all our wild flower meadows with the help of Devon Wildlife Trust.  We have also secured Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier and have set about replacing our boundary fencing for better stock control and improving our water supply. 

One of our priority focuses is the creation of traditional orchards.  Traditional orchards are defined as orchards that are managed in a low intensity manner as opposed to those intensively managed for fruit production. Traditional orchards are areas of grassland with open grown trees similar to wood-pasture and parkland.  

Alarmingly, 90% of traditional orchards have been lost since the 1950s to neglect, development or conversion to intensive modern orchards which contribute a negative impact on biodiversity.

Orchards are classified as ‘Priority Habitats’ by Natural England and DEFRA, and they are included as such in the UK’s Biodiversity Action Plan. This is because they make ideal homes for thousands of species of flora and fauna. In fact, traditional orchards support an array of species identified as ‘Nationally Rare’ and ‘Nationally Scarce’, including lichens, fungi and beetles.

This winter we want to plant two orchards with over 140 trees - with a range of cider and eating apple varieties as well as a smaller number of cherries, nuts, medlars etc.  We are particularly interested in planting heritage local varieties.  They will be M25 rootstock and will need protection from deer and grazing animals.  Any donations over £100 will mean a tree is dedicated to you with a name of your choice.  You can come and visit the tree and see for yourself the positive impact of your investment.  

This project successfully funded on 17th October 2022